Susannah Brook grant flows on to help environment

Published on 17 January 2019

A project to improve the environment throughout the Susannah Brook Reserve will get underway this year, after receiving a $43,000 grant from the State Government.

The improvement project, being undertaken by the Susannah Brook Catchment Group, involves weed control, planting of native plant species and bank stabilisation at the reserve.

The project will also construct a ‘Wildlife Corridor’ of native trees that allows a path for birds and native animals to travel between different bushland sites, and will link to areas previously rehabilitated.

The aim of the project is to increase the available habitat for bandicoots, birds and frogs within the area.

City of Swan Mayor David Lucas said the City was proud to be a part of the project.

“On behalf of the City, I would like to congratulate the Susannah Brook Catchment Group on their successful grant application,” he said.

“In addition to the State Government’s grant, the City is also supporting this project through our Small Grant Program with an amount of $1,000.

 “Further, as a partner of the Susannah Brook Catchment Group, the City will provide on-ground assistance through the City’s Bush Regeneration team.

“We look forward to seeing this project protect and regenerate a very important ecological area.”

Susannah Brook Catchment Group Vice Chairperson Sandy Stone said Susannah Brook is one of the larger streams which flows from the Perth’s Eastern Hills into the Swan River.

“Protecting and improving these waterways is the best way to ensure that the water that flows into the Swan River is clean and healthy,” she said.

The project will be completed over three years and will address erosion issues, and reduce the flow of sediment and nutrients currently entering the waterway and impacting on the water quality of the Susannah Brook and ultimately, the Swan River.

Monitoring, including water quality testing before and after the project will be undertaken to determine the success of the project.

In future, the Susannah Brook Catchment Group hopes to conduct bird surveys following the restoration of the site.